Since 1967, it is estimated that approximately 650,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israel as part of its repression of the popular resistance. As of March 2012, there were 4,637 Palestinians behind bars in Israeli jails, among them 5 women and 183 children. In addition, there are currently 320 Palestinians being held under six month administrative detention orders, without charge or trial, which can be and usually are renewed.

While imprisoned, Palestinian political prisoners from the West Bank face a military justice system that is often characterized by trumped up charges, low standards of evidence, a lack of due process, an acceptance of torture, as well as sentencing that is disparate and far harsher than that encountered in the Israeli civil justice system. As such, the vast majority experience some form of mistreatment during their detention, including torture, coercive interrogation, isolation, food and sleep deprivation, along with the frequent denial of family and legal visits.

If Palestinian political prisoners have experienced considerable oppression in the occupation’s jails, they have also remained active participants in the Palestinian struggle for freedom and self-determination. In recent months, Khader Adnan and Hana Shalabi have captured the attention of many worldwide, staging lengthy hunger strikes to courageously confront Israel’s military justice system and protesting administrative detention practices.

On February 11, 2012, Khader Adnan issued a call, requesting that solidarity groups make April 17th - Palestinian Prisoner’s Day - an international day of action. With this in mind, during the week of April 17th, prisoner support groups and Palestine solidarity networks around the world will be gathering to demand justice and freedom for political prisoners. Please join us for a panel discussion and screening to highlight prisoner struggles, affirm our support and stand in solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners.

Featuring:

Issam Al-YamaniA founding member of the Palestinian Left, Issam Al-Yamani is a Palestinian activist, writer and political commentor. Currently, he is also the Executive Director of Toronto’s Palestine House,
which was defunded by Minister Jason Kenney in February 2012.

Serin AtianiA Palestinian researcher and activist, Serin Atiani has advocated for
Palestinian human, civil and political rights for over a decade.

The event will also feature a screening of a video produced by Addameer, featuring an interview with Suha Barghouti, wife of Ahmed Qatamesh. A
prominent Palestinian writer, academic and activist, Qatamesh is currently
under an administrative detention order and has been held without charge
since his arrest on the night of April 21, 2011.